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Hello everyone!
It’s been a while without an update but here we bring good news, stories of what God has been doing, and some items of prayer heading into August and September.
First off, thank you so much to those who donated to our Lamp on a Hill Fundraiser. Together we raised $8315.8 Thanks to your help we were able to hit our goal and more.
This was more than enough to get our students down to Spring Camp and to have some leftovers to help student ministry in the Fall. Some of our students had to pull out coming down which was unfortunate but we were able to bring down 8 students to Spring Camp.
During that time, it was encouraging throughout the week to watch as students were challenged with the Gospel of Luke. Many of them were challenged by Jesus’ words, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33. It was a week where students wrestled through the cost of discipleship in their lives.
Near the end of the week, we challenged the students to write something that was blocking them from following Jesus on a piece of flagging tape. Afterward, we invited them to walk with us to a place on Thetis called Chapel Glean. There, students tied their flagging tape to a cross that looked out towards the Pacific Ocean.
Afterward, we sat there in silence as a whale bellowed in the distance and the sunset over the cross. One of the students who was searching spoke to everyone and said, “I don’t know about you guys but this is the most at peace I have ever felt.” We finished the evening by singing the hymn, Abide with Me.
On the way back from Chapel Glen, I had students talk to me throughout the night about how they had encountered Christ. My heart was filled hearing stories of how Jesus had answered prayers I had prayed with these students since September! There were breakthroughs marked by freedom and discovering life through dying to self.
Now, this trip was marked by a very important but highly life-changing factor. It’s also been the reason for the late delay to our Spring Camp update.
During preparation for Spring Camp, I discovered that I was pregnant. (Yipee!) This discovery was in the midst of our chaotic and trying season. I was very thankful that while preparing I was fatigued but doing well. There was one day on Thetis when morning sickness hit me like a truck, however! It was after this day I told my BC team our exciting news and praise the Lord was fine to carry on with leading bible studies through the week!
Coming back, however, was a different story as I went through heavy morning sickness through the month of May. I’ll be honest when I say I don’t remember much of May other than being sick, resting, and reflecting on the past year. I’m thankful that the second trimester has been much more manageable. The summer pace has also given Brad and me a chance to slow down and take a step back to look at the year and look forward to welcoming this little one into the world.
On the Village Missions side of ministry, our church has been growing. In June we hosted evangelism training with the Gideons and hosted a concert with Jamie Soles from Grande Prairie.
Later on in July, Brad was honored to baptize one of the girls from youth group!
There’s a new tradition forming at Lakes. Over the last few baptisms, we would walk over as a congregation to Nukko Lake and afterward sing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. It is a beautiful moment to watch, especially as Brad and I have the joy of being a part of these teens' walk with Christ.
Two weeks ago, Brad was the speaker at the Wilderness Teen trek camp. They hiked 26 km (36 km for Brad as he had to walk a camper back). At the end of every long day, Brad took the time to introduce the teens to Christ. On Thursday night, Brad had finished sharing the invitation to the gospel when our friend and Wilderness Director Michael said, “Oh, there’s a thunderstorm coming!” Quickly, they got the camp ready for the storm to hit. Brad gave the teens that were scared glowsticks I had brought (All because being pregnant had made the week miserable without Brad! It made me so happy that it was a comfort that evening for one of the campers). The campers then initiated and said, “I think we should pray.” In both tents at the same time. We had 25000 lightning strikes that evening and thankfully Brad and the campers enjoyed watching it far more than they were afraid.
The next week, I was leading worship at teen camp. Again, we had a week where students wrestled with the cost of discipleship and following Christ. It was an amazing week where I got to lead with students, church friends, and cabin leaders from camp. I was also on a panel with fellow ministry workers where we answered questions from the teens. There was a moment while we were singing, Consuming Fire, we had students pile up to the front. It was amazing to see the movement of the Spirit as there were teens kneeling and opening their arms to Christ. It was a stark difference from the beginning of the week where much of the worship was approached with timidness.
As the week was rounding out, I couldn’t help but think after Spring Camp and now teen camp that there is a new theme emerging in this generation. There are stakes to follow Jesus for this generation. And to walk away and say, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, is a risk. Sitting with young people in this wrestling can be hard at times, but I am thankful for it. There is a true counting the cost I have been seeing over the last few months. One I am hoping results in the faith of the hymn writer is that after taking that step forward there really is, no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back.
It was a crazy two weeks where we were separated but I am thankful looking back at all that God did. Now looking forward, we are preparing to go to Mexico for vacation for two weeks. We have two other pastors in the North who are friends from Bible School and we are excited to take the weeks to relax before the start of September.
I currently have what I can to be prepared for the coming school year. We got 10 students who will be stepping into leadership this year and serving the fellowship while I am on Mat leave. My hope is to return to ministry but for now, I am simply looking forward to meeting the little Bergen that God has gifted us with. I also want to find a way to keep supporters updated on ministry at UNBC/CNC. I am excited for these students and to equip them in September to take on leading the fellowship.
The Saturday after teen camp, we hosted a gender reveal at our house. It was such a blessing to have so many friends, from UNBC to Church and around PG (And even some that came from out of town!) We were able to tell folks that we are expecting a boy at the end of November!
Prayer Items
Pray for students and campers who are wrestling with the cost of discipleship
Pray for these 10 leaders as they prepare to step into their roles in leading the fellowship.
Pray for us as we take time to rest and travel to Mexico (I'm near the end of the second trimester so I'm a bit nervous about flying!)
Pray for our church as we reach out and share the Gospel with our community
Pray for farming families in our church, for good weather and health.
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